obeisance

noun

Definition of obeisancenext
as in homage
a show of respect or acknowledgement of the authority or importance of another They made obeisance before the king and queen. She earned herself some political enemies when she failed to make the proper obeisance to those in power.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obeisance But as wrong-headed as the Court’s obeisance to the executive branch has been (see, for example, its 2024 ruling on Presidential immunity), that deference has its limits. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026 After a decade of seemingly supine obeisance, there is no obvious reason why the military leadership would suddenly rouse itself to oppose Xi. — Jonathan A. Czin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2025 But Zuckerberg isn’t the only one paying abject obeisance to the president. — Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 July 2025 In the first case, Obama was accused of showing obeisance to a foreign ruler and Islam. — Brendan Cole shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for obeisance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obeisance
  1. homage
  2. respect
  3. salute
  4. nod
  5. bow
  6. reverence
  7. submissiveness
Noun
  • Renaming the alleyway that runs behind the main stand as The Yellow Brick Road, in a further homage to their former chairman, is another touch that sets Watford’s home apart.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The Pikachu treat is a delightful homage to the electric mascot.
    — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of homage
Noun
  • Name the goal, keep the message specific, and choose the tone that protects both respect and clarity without closing the door.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Some visitors say paying respects at Yasukuni carries a spiritual meaning that should not be equated with endorsing war.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of respect
Noun
  • His hands were a nonstop party, shooting finger guns and patriotic salutes to his attendees.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And later that day, Musk stood behind the presidential seal and made a gesture much of the world read as a Nazi salute.
    — Tonya Mosley, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of salute
Noun
  • Wilson celebrated his victory with family, friends and a 12-person junkanoo band that danced around the event hall, a nod to the new commissioner’s Bahamian roots.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Fellow judge Howie Mandel closed out the judges’ remarks with a nod to White.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of nod
Noun
  • Prosecutors said Hernandez piloted the boat into a swell and had accelerated the throttle to try to pass through it until the swell swamped the bow of the boat, capsizing it immediately, a complaint alleged.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The collection was heavy on embellishments, with embroidery, crystals, bows, pearls and sequins decorating miniskirts, capri pants, jackets and more.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of bow
Noun
  • Treating French butter and flour with the reverence of a classic boulangerie is expected.
    — Carly Boers, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Bruce has come to occupy a place of singular reverence among comedians and 1st Amendment advocates.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of reverence
Noun
  • Attraction is a function of parentage and looks and submissiveness.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
  • But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of submissiveness

Browse Nearby Words

obedient
obeisance
obeisant
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Cite this Entry

“Obeisance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obeisance. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of obeisance for Spanish Speakers

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